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Human epidermal growth factor is a small peptide consisting of 53 amino acid residues, which stimulates cell proliferation and is associated with several human carcinomas. A simple sandwich-type ultramicroELISA assay (UMELISA), based on the advantages of high affinity reaction between streptavidin and biotin has been developed for the measurement of EGF in human serum samples. Strips coated with a high affinity monoclonal antibody directed against EGF are used as solid phase, to ensure the specificity of the assay. The EGF assay was completed in 18 hr, with a measuring range of 39-2500 pg/mL. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 4.4-7.3% and 0-5.1%, respectively, depending on the EGF concentrations evaluated. Percentage recovery ranged from 96-104%. Regression analysis showed a good correlation with the commercially available Human EGF Immunoassay Quantikine® ELISA kit (n = 130, r = 0.92, P < 0.01). The analytical performance characteristics of our UMELISA EGF endorse its use for the quantification of EGF in human serum samples.

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A través del presente artículo se realiza un análisis de la pertinencia histórica del empleo de la Homeopatía en diferentes países del continente americano, con apreciables datos que aparecen desde el siglo XIX en Cuba. Actualmente se estima que millones de personas son atendidas cada año con productos homeopáticos en naciones incluso desarrolladas. Los autores pretenden precisar la importancia de esta modalidad de la Medicina Natural y Tradicional para el médico de la Atención Primaria de Salud en su labor comunitaria, ya que es el único especialista que atiende integralmente a la familia con un enfoque clínico-epidemiológico. La Homeopatía les ofrece la posibilidad de tratar de manera holística a la familia y les permite que mejore la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Through out the current article it is carried out an analysis of the historical pertinence of the employment of Homeopathy in different countries of the American continent, with appreciable data that appear since the XIX century in Cuba. At present it is considered that millions of people are assisted every year with homeopathic products even in developed nations. The authors expect to specify the importance of this modality of the Herbal and Folk Medicine for the GPs of the Primary Health Care in their community work, since this is the only specialist that integrally assists to the family with a clinical-epidemic approach. Homeopathy offers them the possibility to treat the family in a holistic way and it allows them to improve life quality in their patients.

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Ovarian follicular development is an essential process in the determination of maturation stages associated with size. This association acquires importance when managing populations of threatened species. We histologically processed 11 prepubescent ovaries, four pubescent ovaries, and one breeding adult ovary with vitellogenic follicles using specific staining techniques to identify the follicular stages of Eretmochelys imbricata. Follicular stages were compared with maturation stages [including straight carapace length (SCL)]. The ovary presented several germinal beds and a lacunar system less histochemically and morphologically heterogeneous than that of crocodiles. During previtellogenesis (four stages), the oocyte grows rapidly due to the strong transcriptional activity of lampbrush chromosomes and numerous nucleoli, and the strong metabolism associated with lipid synthesis. The Stage III ooplasm showed a Sudan positive band. This stage was the most frequent in all ovarian sections and it was independent of maximal follicular stage. Stage IV, more frequent in pubescent and adult ovaries, presented a lipid vacuole-rich ooplasm and a broadening of the zona pellucida and the theca. The vitellogenesis begins with the penetration and accumulation of spherical glycoprotein yolk platelets and chemically neutral lipid droplets which are observed to be mixed, but spatially and chemically segregated. Both the yolk platelets and lipid droplets increase in size, density, and proximity to the periphery of the oocyte due to their coalescence. The SCL of the immature females did not determine the maximal follicular stage nor its frequency in the ovaries. Straight carapace length turned out to be an imprecise measure in identifying the presence of follicular stages in females larger than the minimum legal size limit in Cuba. Consequently, for a national conservation program to be successful, it must emphasize the critically endangered status of E. imbricata, as well as the maturity of the most frequent hawksbill sizes encountered in the Cuban archipelago fishery.

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La sepsis intraabdominal postquirúrgica tiene una alta incidencia y mortalidad. Objetivo: evaluar el comportamiento de la sepsis intraabdominal postquirúrgica en una Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal sobre el comportamiento de la sepsis intraabdominal postquirúrgica en la Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios Polivalente del Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech desde enero de 2005 a diciembre de 2007. Se utilizaron las escalas de isogravedad APACHE-II e índice de peritonitis de Mannhein y parámetros clínicos, analíticos e imagenológicos como criterios de reintervención. Resultados: Predominaron los mayores de 65 años y todos los fallecidos mostraron una puntuación APACHE-II al ingreso mayor o igual a 21 puntos. La oclusión de intestino grueso por cáncer representó casi la mitad de los casos y la triada clínica de fiebre, taquicardia y polipnea fueron las más significativas para la reintervención. Conclusiones: la combinación de criterios clínicos, analíticos e imagenológicos fue la forma más efectiva para decidir la reintervención.

Postsurgical intra-abdominal sepsis has a high incidence and mortality. Objective: to evaluate the behavior of postsurgical intra-abdominal sepsis in an Intermediate Care Unit. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study on the behavior of postsurgical intra-abdominal sepsis was accomplished in an Intermediate Care Unit at the Teaching Hospital Manuel Ascunce Domenech from January 2005 to December 2007. Isogravity scales APACHE II, Mannhein peritonitis index and clinical, analytical and imaging parameters as re-intervention criteria. Results: The elders of 65 years predominated and all dead persons showed a punctuation APACHE-II to the greater or equal entrance to 21 points. The occlusion of large intestine by cancer represented almost the half of the cases and the clinical triad of fever, tachycardia and polypnea were the most significant for re-intervention. Conclusions: the combination of clinical, analytical and imaging criteria was most effective way of deciding re-intervention.

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CIGB-230, a mixture of a DNA plasmid expressing hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural antigens and a HCV recombinant capsid protein, has demonstrated to elicit strong immune responses in animals. The present study evaluated the plasmid biodistribution after the administration of CIGB-230 in mice, as well as toxicity of this vaccine candidate in rats. In the biodistribution study, mice received single or repeated intramuscular injections of CIGB-230, 50 microg of plasmid DNA mixed with 5 microg of Co.120 protein. Plasmid presence was assessed in ovaries, kidney, liver, pancreas, mesenteric ganglion, blood, and muscle of the injection site by a qualitative polymerase chain reaction. The toxicology evaluation included treatment groups receiving doses 5, 15, or 50 times higher, according to the body weight, than the expected therapeutic clinical dose. During the first hour after repeated inoculation, a promiscuous distribution was observed. However, 3 months later, plasmid could not be detected in any tissue. There was an absence of detectable adverse effects on key toxicology parameters and no damage evidenced in inspected organs and tissues. These results indicate that CIGB-230 is nontoxic at local and systemic levels and no concerns about persistence are observed, which support clinical testing of this vaccine candidate against HCV.

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